Books and Brownies is a book club that meets once a month and talks about the book they are reading while eating a brownie. They meet after school once a month in the Findlay High School library.

Students who are involved choose what they read then share about what they are reading, and explain the story and their opinions on the book. “We read, meet once a month, then explain the book you’re reading and eat brownies at the end.” Mrs. Brasfield explained how books and brownies works.

It’s simple on how to get in and join the club. You get into books and brownies by coming into the library after school on scheduled meetings. “You come in and introduce yourself, enjoy yourself and explain your book.” Mrs. Brasfield said.

Books and brownies is creative because you don’t get assigned a book, you choose what you read and explain your point of view on the story.

Findlay High School has many different clubs, students can join to see if they would like to make that a priority to them. It’s easy to get in, and students are very accepted in books and brownies. If students enjoy to read, eat brownies or even to make friends, join books and brownies!

In late March of 2017, the NHL (National Hockey League) announced that there will be no break in the 2017-2018 NHL season for 2018’s Winter Olympics, which will take place in PyeongChang, South Korea. This decision from the NHL to not include a break for the Olympics ends a streak of five consecutive Winter Olympics with NHL players.

The NHL conducted polls in both Canada and the United States to determine if fans were in favor of the League taking a break in February to allow players to compete in the Olympics. In the United States, 73 percent said they were not in favor. In Canada, it was 53 percent against the break. This poll was clearly enough for the NHL to decide against taking a break in their schedule. Another contributing factor to the NHL’s decision is the fact that this 17 day break would include a time where the NFL’s season is over, and the MLB’s season is yet to begin, making the NBA the only major professional sport for viewers in America to watch.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was the organization that was paying for NHL players’ travel costs, accommodations, and insurance. A big factor in the NHL’s decision to not allow a break for their players to participate in the Olympics was the fact that the IOC informed the NHL that they would not continue to finance NHL players participating in the Olympics.

Another reason that the NHL chose to not allow a break in their schedule for players to compete in the Olympics is the fact that the NHL’s schedule is more compressed, which can lead to less rest for players and therefore more injuries. The Olympics are very competitive and physical, which leads to key players becoming injured and teams suffering in their regular NHL season.

Many NHL players want to compete in the Olympics though. Players such as Ben Bishop, (LA Kings) Jimmy Howard, (Detroit Red Wings) and Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks) are all in favor of playing in the Olympics. They all say that they want to feel the competitiveness of Olympic Hockey, and think that fans want to see them play. Most players that want to compete are saying that they want to go up against the best, and they want the fans to see the best competition. As Jimmy Howard said, “The Olympics are supposed to symbolize the best in the world. That’s in the NHL: Most of the best players in the world play in the NHL.”

Overall, the NHL’s decision to not allow a break in their schedule to let players compete in the Olympics was a well-informed decision. Their decision could have upset many spectators of the sport, but they made the decision that they thought was best.

Blood, revenge, and justice are what drive the Punisher (Frank Castle). Frank Castle played by Jon Bernthal is the fifth Marvel character to be on a Netflix t.v. show following Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist. He first appeared on season 2 of Daredevil where he shocked New York with his destructive power. In this first season Castle comes face to face with one of his greatest foes Jigsaw played by Ben Barnes. He seeks revenge for the death of his family and doesn’t care about anyone in his path.

In the newest Netflix series Castle tries to live a normal life six months after finishing his mission of getting revenge on everyone that had anything to do with his family’s death. Little did he know that his fight was just beginning. While Castle served in Afghanistan he did many things that cause him to have nightmares and those actions are beginning to catch up with him. Castle is sought out by supposedly deceased David Lieberman (Micro) which frightens Castle because everyone believes that he is dead.

Lieberman was attempted to be killed after he sent a video of Ahmad Zubair being killed by Frank’s unit in illegal operation in Kandahar to his superiors which little did he know were responsible for the whole operation. Zubair’s partner Agent Madani continues to look for her partner’s killer and crosses paths with Castle in the process. Lieberman and Castle work together to bring down all those responsible and they are surprised about what they find out in the process. Castle fights to keep his humanity while making everyone who ever wronged him pay for what they did.

The Punisher is definitely the darkest of all of the Netflix shows, however the story keeps you guessing, scared, and on the edge of your seat with excitement. The Punisher is right behind Daredevil in the line of Netflix Marvel show rankings due to the enticing story and exciting action scenes. This is definitely a must watch.

2017 is almost over, so let’s take some time to remember this long eventful year. This year was full of surprises, from everything that happened with Donald Trump to the second season of stranger things. Since 2017 isn’t over yet, we still have some events before the new year. For instance, the new Star Wars movie comes out on December 15th.

This year marks the 110th year since the first ball drop in Times Square. The first NYE ball was made out of wood and iron, weighing about 700 pounds. There have been about 7 new ones since then. The first ball drop was in 1907. Since then, celebrations for the new year have gotten crazier.

Countries around the world celebrate with fireworks and confetti. In Estonia, they eat 12 meals for good luck. In Denmark, they smash plates and glass on their friends front doors. The more smashed glass you have, the more popular you are.

2017 has been better than years past. This year, Donald Trump was elected into office on January 20th. For better or for worse, the President of the United states influences the U.S culture. For Donald Trump, well, his actions speak for themselves. The total eclipse occured on August 21st. Even when it was overcast and hard to see, the eclipse captured everyone’s attention for just a few moments. The amount of money spent because of the eclipse will make you lose your mind.

I asked a couple of students how they felt about their year. Savannah Wilcox, a freshman, said “I think this year was pretty okay. It definitely was better than last year.” Another freshman, Kiarra Brickner says that “ This year has been long and eventful. I’m glad its over.”

As this year comes to an end, look around and be thankful that you made it another year. 2018 is almost here, so good luck in the new year. Happy holidays!

“The season went very well! There were a lot of personal as well as team victories.” Said senior Julia Weigman.

Did the team have any weakness?

“I wouldn’t say so. We all worked together really well and balanced out each other’s weaknesses so that the team could succeed.” Said Weigman.

Did the team have any strengths?

“We played every game, not only to win, but to get better. We never wasted a day, every match and practice were used for improving.” Weigman said.

What advice would you leave for the non-senior members of the team?

“Have fun and do your absolute best! As long as you leave it all on the courts there is no reason to be upset. The amazing teammates you have will support your either way!” Said Weigman.

What will you miss most about Tennis at FHS?

“I will miss all the Amazing friends that I’ve made. This year was my first year of ever playing tennis and I was nervous at the beginning of the season. However, the support that I had from my partner and all the rest of the team was so uplifting! I felt as if i had been there with them for all 4 years and I’ll cherish the memories that we made together. Said senior Addie Wirt.

“I joined tennis as a freshman, and I was the only one in my grade, However, I always felt so welcomed. I’m going to miss the awesome atmosphere that everyone created when we were together.” Said Weigman.

Two former TRAC quarterbacks face off in the NFL. Sunday September 10, 2017 Findlay’s Ben Roethlisberger (1996-2000) and Toledo Central Catholic’s Deshone Kizer (2010-2014) met and battled it out in Cleveland in week one of the new NFL season. Ben won this round but there is still another game later this season between the two of them.

Ben only played one season as varsity quarterback for Findlay and threw for 4,100 yards and 54 touchdowns. In Kizer’s career he was 345 of 584 for 5,684 yards and 56 TDs. He also rushed 151 times for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Even though Kizer had a rough game he showed flashes of potential. He was sacked seven times, but he was 20/30 for 222 yards and touchdown, however he threw one interception. He also ran for 17 yards and a touchdown. Ben played well he was 24/36 for 263 yards and two touchdowns, he also threw one interception and was sacked once.

After the game the two quarterbacks met at midfield and Ben told Kizer “You’re a helluva player. Wish you all the best, stay healthy…we’ll see you again soon.” In a post game interview Ben said, “We’re both from northwest Ohio, both wear number seven, I thought he played a great game. He did some great things against a defense that gets after it, but I told him afterword, what an awesome start. I know it’s not getting a win, but just to play the way he did, I was proud of him.”

When former Findlay wide receiver and cornerback Jordan Jones was asked what it was like to play against Deshone Kizer he said, “I wasn’t a starter at the time, but I remember the week leading up to the game, we had one of the most intense week of practice ever, and he was a huge part of the scouting report. He was really a man among boys when he was on the field and proved that he was just as good as everyone said he was.

“I was never scared or nervous, but we knew we had to crank our preparation up to a crazy level. We knew we couldn’t stop him, we just wanted to slow him down.” Jordan was then asked if at the time he believe Kizer would make it to the NFL he didn’t hesitate in saying, “Absolutely. He threw the most beautiful, catchable balls I’ve ever seen from a high school quarterback.”

Many in the area believe that the TRAC conference is one of the best, so when asked what do you think about a former TRAC opponent making it to the NFL Jordan responded, “I love it. It shows that the TRAC is the powerhouse conference that we always claim it to be, and the teams that play in this area are capable of competing with anyone.” Kizer has already shown a lot of potential so when asked what can Kizer bring to the Browns Jordan said, “A level headed leader, a willingness to grow within the system, a passion for winning, and perhaps most importantly a love for the state of Ohio and a dream of delivering Cleveland a championship.”

In another interview current Head Findlay Varsity Football coach Mark Ritzler said he had a specific game plan to deal with Kizer, “He did not throw the ball very much in high school. He was much more of a talented runner. Toledo Central Catholic runs the outside zone quite a bit, which gave him and option of running the football depending on what the backside end did. We wanted to make sure he gave the ball off and took it out of his hands. We beat TCC his sophomore year pretty handily and he did not play well against us. He really didn’t do a whole lot over his career against us, but it was obvious he had the physical tools. Now when I watch him I see someone who looks like he could develop into a good quarterback if he is given some help.” Kizer has already shown potential so Coach Ritzler said his opinion on what the Browns got.

“My first thought was he will be out of the league in 3 years as the Browns have a way of drafting poorly and driving young quarterbacks out of the league.” Coach Ritzler has coached against many people in his career so when asked if he believed at the time if Kizer would make the NFL he responded, “No, I did not. Charles Woodson (Fremont) and Damon Moore (Fostoria) are the two best players I have ever coached against in high school. Both went on to play in the NFL. Talent wise he might sneak into my top 10…”

Even though the opinions of Kizer may differ the truth is evident that Kizer is very talented and if he is coached and developed well he will have a bright future ahead of him.

The long awaited Avengers: Infinity War trailer finally was released on November 29 on Good Morning America. Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes actor Sebastian Stan was the lucky cast member to be interviewed and show off the trailer.

The trailer opens up with several Avengers members quoting pieces of Nick Fury’s Avenger Initiative speech. The scenes flashing behind the speech are a distraught looking Tony Stark, Bruce Banner crashing into Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum with Strange and Wong looking over him, Scarlet Witch and Vision, who is disguised as a human, appear in an undisclosed location, Thor in what appears to be the Milano and Banner and Black Widow in Wakanda. The trailer then cuts to Marvel’s logo sequence. The next shot shows Stark joining Wong, Strange and Banner at the Sanctum with a voice-over by Thanos himself. Spider-Man’s signature Spidey-sense has alerted him of danger, the danger being some sort of flying loop that is shown tearing apart the building around it. In another scene what appears to be Ebony Maw is walking over dead bodies. Which is followed by Loki offering up the Tesseract, from The Avengers, to an unseen figure. We then get our first look at Thanos himself as he appears out of a portal. We also get our first look at Spider-Man’s “iron Spider” suit that was offered to him at the end of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Black Panther is speaking during this sequence of scenes and says what seems to be the most quoted line from the trailer “Evacuate the city, Engage all defenses and get this man a shield.” The next scenes reveals Captain America in his “Nomad” suit and is followed by him catching the spear of the briefly seen Proxima Midnight. The Hulkbuster makes its reappearance in Wakanda. Thanos is shown choke slamming Spider-Man. Vision is getting the Mind Stone ripped from his forehead by Corvus Glaive. Iron Man is punched by Thanos and is thrown to the ground. The closing moments of the trailer show a massive battle taking place in Wakanda. Captain America, Winter Soldier, Black Panther, Black Widow, Falcon, Hulk, War Machine, a member of the Dora Milaje, Black Panther’s security force, are involved and are seen running into battle. Black Panther villain M’Baku (Man-Ape) is also seen with the Wakandan forces. The final scene of the trailer is Thor meeting the Guardians of the Galaxy for the first time.

Fans have reacted to the trailer overwhelmingly. Everybody seems to love it and the hype for next year’s Marvel movies, Black Panther (February 16), Infinity War (May 4) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6) has only grown.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Findlay High School would be allowing seniors to reserve spots in the student parking lot.

Each spot was $20, and students who reserved a spot for the year go to decorate and paint there spots, with a $5 fine for parking in anyone’s spot. Over 60 spots were sold and over $1200 dollars were raised.

The project, organized by FHS senior Madison Faulkner, benefited cancer research project she started called the Multiple Myeloma Project. This fundraiser put their total at over $5000.

“I was ecstatic about raising that much and everyone who participated loved doing it.” Madison said.

It also gave seniors the chance to shorten their walk in the morning as senior Matt Lichtinger said, “I didn’t want to walk as far and thought it supported a good cause.”

Matt also said that he would be painting his spot something American, “because I love America.”